Snowboard Boot Bindings Recalled for Fall Hazard

Rome Snowboard Boot Bindings are being recalledâ€”about 2,900 in the United States and 22 in Canada, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada (HC) just announced. The Snowboard Boot Bindings were manufactured in China by Rome Snowboards Company of Waterbury, Vermont.

The snowboard bindingâ€™s base plate can break at cold temperatures, posing a fall hazard to snowboarders. To date, the firm has received 14 reports of base plates breaking. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Rome Snowboards Co. 2010 United snowboard bindings. The bindings come in black and red color themes and in sizes small, medium, and large. Rome is printed on the highback. The bindings also have graphics on the back of the highback and on the rear portion of the baseplate.

The recalled Snowboard Boot Bindings were sold at snow sports retailers from September 2009 through December 2009 for about $160.

Imports from China into the United States have long been making headlines for issues with defective parts and dangerous elements, including hazardous lead levels in childrenâ€™s toys and products and dangerous cadmium levels in childrenâ€™s jewelry. Also, parts that can break off and pose choking hazards to children; problems with hooded garments with drawstrings that are considered defective and dangerous to children; unsafe, sometimes deadly, medications; dangerous pet and consumer food products; and problems with health and personal care items have been linked to Chinese imports, to name just a few.

Also making headlines is the ongoing Chinese drywall debacle that has been the culprit in untold numbers of cases involving homes across the United States plagued with corroding metals and offensive odors. In many cases the entire gutting of houses has been mandated to correct the problem.

The CPSC and HC are advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled snowboard bindings and contact Rome Snowboards for free replacement bindings. Rome Snowboards can be reached toll-free at (866) 289-9990 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or at the firmâ€™s Web site at www.romesnowboards.com